Mail box



May 2, 1939. j -r 2,156,854

M A I L B OX Filed March 22, 1937 2 Sh eeeeeeee et 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 17365 L-Hur"? Aiiorneys J. L. HURST May 2, 1939.

MAIL BOX Filed March 22, 1957 [II-LI Patented May 2, 1939 ears.

QFFIQE MAIL BOX James L. Hurst, Spirit Lake, Iowa, assignor of one-half to B. E.'Grottum, Jackson, Minn.

Application March 22, 1937, Serial No. 132,438

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved mail box of the style or type used for depositing and collecting mail on so-called rural mail delivery routes, and the purpose of the invention is to provide a novel, substantially stormproof structure characterized primarily by a unique door construction and coordinated signal flag arrangement.

Those familiar with rural mail boxes of this general type are aware that it is customary to utilize a substantially tunnel-shaped, horizontally elongated container or receptacle, the same being open at what may be called the front end, at which point is a hinged lid forming the closing door. Then, too, it is customary in building boxes of this type to provide them with a signal flag which is elevated to view when a letter has been placed in the box for collection, and which is dropped down to a non-display position when the box is empty. With this general rsum in mind, it is to be pointed out, therefore, that in reducing to practice the principles of the present invention, I have invoked certain improvements in the door construction, in the specific box construction, and in the flag control and arrangement.

Stated more specifically, novelty is predicated upon a simple pivotally hung lid-like door, the same being provided on its inside with mail holding means, being constructed at its bottom to facilitate convenient grasping by the mail man, and having its upper portion constructed with an ingenious weight construction which serves in a manner to be hereinafter set forth.

Furthermore, specific novelty is predicated upon the coaction of the weight means on the pivoted door, and a weighted crank shaft arrangement forming the mounting for a satisfactory signal flag construction.

Other features and advantages will become more 40 readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a mail box constructed in accordance with my ideas.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front end view showing the door swung up to open position, in which position it is held under the action of the weight swinging beyond dead center.

Figure 3 is a front end elevation of Figure 1, that is, a view looking at Figure 1 in a direction from left to right.

Figure 4 is an inside detail elevation of the closing door or lid.

Figure 5 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a View like Figure 5 showing the door swung open and the signal flag dropped down to non-display position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view through the check means to limit the forward or upward swinging of the flag.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the complete novel flag unit.

The mail box proper is denoted by the numeral 9 and is of more or less conventional configuration and longitudinally elongated form in so far as the rear and central portion is concerned. At the front, however, the convex roof or top portion is formed into a projection as at In which is in effect an overhanging weather shield and hood. The under side of this inclines downwardly and inwardly as indicated at I I. That portion of the box therebeneath forms the entrance or opening indicated at !2 in Figure 6. The extension [0 and its inclined bottom surface H also function as a stop to limit the upward swinging of the panel-like door Hi. This feature l3 comprises a simple metal plate having vertical edging or side flanges M which telescope over the sidewalls of the box to provide an effective closure when the door is in the closed position shown in Figures l and 5. The lower end of the door is provided with what may be called an extension as at it, and this projects below the bottom of the box to provide a convenient grip so that the mail man can grasp it with his gloves on, if necessary, to conveniently lift it and swing it up to open position. On the inside of the door at a suitable point is a part I5 which may be called a riser or spacing element and associated with this is a spring clip I! of appropriate construction, which features I6 and I! provide a convenient letter holder. Consequently, when the door is swungup to open position as seen in Figure 6, the letter in the holder is conveniently exposed to facilitate removal by the mail man. This obviates the necessity of projecting the hand into the box to inconvenience and delay mail collection.

It is to be noticed that the upper end portion of the door or panel is hingedly mounted as at It on the rear end portion of the inclined member M. Then, too, above the hinged joint the panel is bent laterally, which may be called laterally forward in Figure 5, as indicated by the numeral 19. This wing-like extension or bend l9 has a suitable weight attached thereto, as shown in the drawings. When the door is closed, as seen in Figure 5, the weight exerts a downward stress which tends to swing the door on its hinge connection It tightly against the box. Thus, an effective weather-tight closure is insured.

It is to be noticed in Figures 5 and 6 that a partition or divider of suitable length is arranged in the upper portion of the box inwardly of the door, as indicated at 2|. This in effect forms What may be called a mechanism or weight compartment 22. It is also a shield and prevents the mechanism located in said compartment 29 interfering with the contents or mail in the box. In this compartment 22 is mounted a crank shaft 23. The crank portion 24 carries a weight 25. One end of the crank shaft forms a trunnion or journal as at 26, and this is journaled for rotation in a box-like adapter member 21 mounted on the wall in the position shown. The journal projects into this box and terminates in a laterally directed end portion 28 which forms a stop or check element, which, when engaged with the bottom of the adapter box 21, limits the forward and upward swinging of the flag 29 carried by the upstanding flag arm 30. This arm 30 is mounted on the right hand end of the crank shaft seen in Figure 8. It will be noted that the arm, when elevated, is in a perpendicular position, while the crank and weight thereon slant forwardly utilizing the action of the weight to keep the flag in this elevated display position. Then, too, this weighted crank member in the inclined state is in the path of swing of the weighted wing l9. Thus, the part l9 becomes an actuating element, and as the door is lifted up by hand, the element IS strikes the weight 25 and crank 24. In so doing it rotates the crank in a position from left to right in Figure 5, swinging it beyond dead center and then allowing the weight to cause the fiag to gravitate down to the dotted line position seen in Figure 6. This is the non-display position.

Not only does the weighted actuating element l9 function in this manner, but it also comes into play when occupying the position shown in Figure 6 to swing beyond so-called dead center to hold the door l3 elevated in open position. This facilitates removal of the mail without interference. It is evident, however, that by pressing the door down by hand, the weight flops over from right to left in Figure 6 aiding in closing the door and keeping it closed and against accidental swinging. The flag itself, when it is in the down position shown in Figure 6, must be elevated by hand in order to dispose it in erect signalling position.

Assuming that the flag is up and that a letter is in the box, when the mail man comes along he opens the door swinging it up to open position as seen in Figure 6. In so doing the coacting means between the door and flag comes into play, drops the flag down to show that the collection has been made.

It is not the purpose of this specification to delve into the commercial aspects of the invention. It is believed that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates are sufficiently conversant with structural assemblies of this type to gain a clear understanding, and for that reason a more detailed description is not included.

Changes in shape, size, proportions, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to within the scope of the adjoined claims, in so far as the changes do not depart from the spirit or scope of the claims.

Any suitable supporting means may be provided to hold the box on a post. I have shown a bracket or fixture as at 3| in Figure 1, and this includes an upright portion 32 provided with suitable connections 33 connectible with a post or the like in any appropriate or well known manner. No novelty is attached to this phase of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, a ho!- low mail box provided in its upper portion with a partitioning and divider plate coacting with the top of the box in defining a mechanism compartment, said box being open at its outer end, a depending hingedly mounted plate constituting a closing door for said outer end, the upper end of said plate being hingedly suspended from the box and being provided with a laterally directed flange, a counter weight carried by said flange, a signalling flag unit comprising a crank shaft having journals mounted for oscillation in said mechanism compartment, a weight on said crank shaft, said weight being normally disposed in the path of swing of the weighted flange when said door is lifted to open position, one end of said crank shaft being formed into a fiag supporting arm, and a signalling flag on said arm.

2. A mail box of the class described compris ing a body portion having its front end open with a hoodlike extension at the top of said end, said extension having its bottom wall sloping downwardly and rearwardly and terminating at the top of the opening, a door having its upper edge hinged to the rear end of said bottom wall, said door having an upper extension which extends upwardly and forwardly over the bottom wall when the door is closed and a weight on the door extension tending to hold the door closed, when the door is in closed position and acting to hold the door in open position and against the bottom wall of the hood-like extension when the door has been moved to open position.

JAMES L. HURST. 

